Today, there is a major waste management industrial complex expanding around the Port of Coeymans owned by Carver Laraway. Since 2006, this complex has tripled in size and the Port is now waiting for a permit to enlarge again. In total, the complex could soon occupy 600-1000 acres of land along the Hudson River, the Binnenkill and Coeymans Creek.

What is New York State’s response? They treat this region like garbage, hiding behind narrow regulations to turn a blind eye to both current and future risks. Just when they should be protecting the health of our residents and environment, our State government is ready to sacrifice Coeymans and the Hudson River on a mountain of waste.

Before matters get worse, the Clean Air Coalition of Greater Ravena - Coeymans is calling for an independent review of the cumulative impact of this industrial development and its future waste management plans. We are asking Governor Hochul to insist that the DEC, the Army Corps and the Department of State stop any permit approvals until this review has been done and independently verified.

There is a better future for the Hudson River and its Valley. Congressman Paul Tonko, Scenic Hudson and Riverkeeper recently spoke out in support of the proposed New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act in Ravena. This act would bring millions of dollars over five years to restore the Hudson River watershed. It will support the NY Parks Department’s development of the new Hudson Eagles Recreation Area, a novel 55-mile river park in the Hudson River from Kingston to Albany.

So why, with this future in our hands, is NY State encouraging a major waste processing complex on the Hudson at Coeymans? Why should this business be allowed to expand in our new river park? The Hudson and its watershed are still recovering from earlier industrial damage. They should not be exposed to more toxic activity.

This is not right and not wanted.

That is why the Clean Air Coalition of Greater Ravena-Coeymans is asking Governor Hochul, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New York’s Department of State to turn down all current applications to expand and not review any future permit applications until a comprehensive environmental review of the Port of Coeymans Complex and its waste management businesses has been completed and independently verified.

We can see the outlines of a better, cleaner future for the Hudson River and its residents. That future needs to be protected, not trashed.

We urge Governor Hochul, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and New York’s Department of State to turn down all current applications to expand and not review any future permit applications in Coeymans until a comprehensive environmental review of the cumulative impact and future plans of the Port of Coeymans Complex and its waste management businesses has been completed and independently verified. New York State our Hudson River communities need a Zero Waste Policy, not more dumping sites.

For more information, visit our website: www.cleanairalbanycounty.org